Since Sandberg’s departure from executive management, the company has evolved into a completely different entity. After laying off tens of thousands of workers, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg sought to reshape his culture to become more efficient and focused. Meanwhile, Meta has directed its resources toward big bets on generative AI and VR-based services — and away from its original big blue app.
“With a heart full of gratitude and a mind full of memories, I have informed the Meta Board of Directors that I will not run for re-election next May,” Sandberg wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday. “After leaving my role as COO, I remained on the board to help ensure a successful transition.”
Sandberg wrote that she plans to continue working as a consultant. Javier Olivan, a longtime Meta executive, replaced Sandberg as chief operating officer, but took on a less visible role from the outside.
Zuckerberg commented on the post, saying Sandberg’s contributions were “instrumental in driving our success.”
“Thank you, Cheryl, for the exceptional contributions you have made to our company and community over the years,” he wrote. “I am grateful for your unwavering commitment to me and Mita over the years. I look forward to this next chapter together!”
Sandberg, who spent 14 years at Meta as chief operating officer after a stint at Google, was also often the face of the company in Washington during its most controversial moments. It defended the company after the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal, when a Trump consulting firm exfiltrated data from millions of Facebook users, as well as revelations that Russia had tried to use Facebook to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Sandberg, who has championed women’s empowerment in the workplace, will leave the board at a time when a generation of senior female leaders in Silicon Valley is dwindling.
Since stepping down, Sandberg has increased her political activity. After the Supreme Court decided to cancel his decision Roe vs. Wade, She announced a $3 million donation to the American Civil Liberties Union to fight abortion restrictions in state homes. More recently, she spoke out against sexual violence against women during the war between Israel and Gaza.